Which ALK test to trust....

[screefer]

I tested my ALK on two kits tonight with different readings. I was wondering which one you would trust.
1. Hanna Checker: 9.75
2. Sera KH Test: 7.5

I have used the Hanna for a few weeks and have went with its results. The Sera was a new kit that I had and this is the first time I have used it. Just wondering which one should be trusted as there is a variance.
Thanks

 

[Giancarlo]

I would assume the Hanna is more accurate, assuming all variables are correct. I.e. amount of water in vial, using all the reagent (although i think extra is added for room for error). I have never even heard of Sera so i could be wrong.

 

[dirtycontour]

I would go with the Hanna. Less room for user error.

 

[screefer]

All water test amounts were measured using syringes. I've always used the Hanna just confirming. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[myzislow]

my hannah consistently reads a whole point higher then my elos kit as well. I do not know which one to trust myself haha. Compared my elos to 2 other elos kits, mine is spot on with them, and the hannah read a whole point higher then my buddy's elos kits as well.

 

[Wesley42079]

I only use and trust Salifert.

 

[Jpurpz831]

+1 i use salifert

 

[-Logzor]

I've compared my Hanna Meter against water samples (from ordering frags or from frag swaps) from Jason Fox, Cherry Corals, and World Wide corals. I keep my ALK at around 8-9 and in every instance their water measured pretty close to mine. I trust the Hanna Meter hands down.

I don't think it's important to necessarily focus on which test kit is more accurate but if my water same measures the same as water samples from other successful people then I'm content.

 

[Ike]

Sera, API, and Elos are all basically the same reagent and test kit. This is based on the assumption Sera hasn't changed in recent years.They all tend to measure low by about 10% lower when compared to Salifert. Well, unless you have a faulty Salifert test kit, which is another story...

Through the years API has actually been more consistent and reliable than Salifert for me, and the only time I've seen Salifert tested against top Hach lab equipment it registered about 10% higher than actual. So, I believe that the basic single reagent titration kits mentioned here are actually pretty accurate. The great thing about the Sera, API and Elos kits is they're very easy to use, cheap (except Elos), and consistent. If you want more resolution just double the sample and 1 drop =.5 dKH. That's more resolution than anyone really needs unless you're trying to dial in a reactor in a short period of time.

Also, with how easy they are to use, I think tests like the API will encourage people to test morte often, which is far moire important than if it's correct. Dip below 7 with one of those kits and you should bump alkalinity a bit.

 

[rajkovich207]

IMO sera test kits are garbage. The alk was always 2-3 lower than API and salifert, the Cal would go blue at 400ppm no matter what 460ppm with API. And po4 always read 0. I will never buy them again...

 

[shred5]

Most hobby test kits are off plus the way they work they can make a huge difference in user error. Even with most regiments one drop can make a huge difference or even one drop of water. there made too be close but not dead on.

Salifert is just as bad. I had two test kits from them once that were way off from each other. I had one test kit form them read 100ppm higher than the next. I contacted Habib and told me one test total calcium and the other didn't. Omg what was it testing before than?

As far as po4 there is no true way to test for it. Test kits only test for orthophosphate.

 

[Ike]

Interesting... It has been years since I've compared Sera to API, so maybe the formulation of the kit is different now or there are some inconsistencies. Still, I stand by API being a consitent and reliable alkalinity kit as far as hobbysist kits go.

IMO sera test kits are garbage. The alk was always 2-3 lower than API and salifert, the Cal would go blue at 400ppm no matter what 460ppm with API. And po4 always read 0. I will never buy them again...

 

[BigJohnWoody]

I love my Hanna checker. It has consistently tested the same. I dont know for sure how accurate it is based on DKH, but I know that if I test three times in a row it will be close to the exact reading every time. If its off, its only off by 1 point. For instance 170, 170, 171. I just did this is how I know Salifert never did this for me. Stable params are more important than specific params IMHO.

 

[ifarmer]

Hanna test kit for ALK